Intentions of the Heart

With glee, I noticed that just down the street our local pet store was hosting a Dock Dog competition this past weekend. I hurried over on my bicycle all by myself, since my daughter Asherel was gone for the day with a friend, and hubby wasn't terribly interested. As I sat watching the dogs jumping with so much joy and verve and enthusiasm, I started crying.

Yes...Crying!

 I know. I was glad I was wearing sunglasses because I didn't notice anyone else crying. And why was I crying? What was affecting me so powerfully? I missed that my little girl who is now a senior in highschool and who used to never miss a dog event with me was not at my side. But I think it was more than that. The dogs were so earnest. Their entire body trembled as they waited for the owner to give them the signal to jump off the dock after the lure. And then when the owner shouted, "Go!" they were off at full speed, every muscle quivering and then blasting into action. All that mattered was doing their master's bidding with explosive delight.

If only everyone had so much passion for the things that mattered! If only I longed for God with such trembling anticipation. If only everyone did. I envied those dogs, for the unbridled desire to obey their master and to do what they were instinctively wired to do with all that was within them.

I calmed down as the competition wore on. I hadn't planned to stay long but I stayed all afternoon. I wanted to see who won.

One novice dog circled the pool for a full minute before getting the lure at the end of the pool. In that event, the dogs were timed to see how fast they could snag the lure. On his second attempt, he snatched it in ten seconds. He didn't win, but the crowd went wild. Before their eyes, a dog had transformed. What was especially heart-warming is the owner was equally effusive towards the dog both times- when he failed and when he excelled. His performance didn't matter. His attempt to do his owner's bidding and do his best did.

I learned so much from the dogs and owners about following and loving God.
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Proverbs 4:20-22 

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Luke 6:46 

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Matthew 22:37 

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1 Corinthians 10:31 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.